Kathmandu District Administration Office took a decision to this effect on Monday.
Nepal on Monday recorded 3,442 new cases in the last 24 hours. Of them, 1,912 were from Kathmandu Valley–1,567 cases in Kathmandu, 223 in Lalitpur and 122 in Bhaktapur.
The overall infection tally has reached 303,561 with 22,434 active cases.
“We have issued a prohibitory order in the Valley for one week effective from Thursday morning,” said Kali Prasad Parajuli, chief district officer of Kathmandu. “It’s like a lockdown but we are not using that term. Movements of people will be restricted during the period.”
As per the decision, the administration has barred holding meetings, conferences, training, and seminars. Also, operation of cinema halls, party palaces, swimming pools, shopping malls, entertainment venues, saloons, beauty parlors, gyms, group sports, library, museums and zoo among others, have also been barred.
Marriage and coming-of-age ceremonies (bratabandha) can be held after taking permission from the District Administration Office and no more than 15 people will be allowed to attend such functions. Such functions should be held following strict health protocols, says the order.
Likewise, all private and public vehicles have been barred from plying the Valley roads, starting from 6am on April 29 to May 5 midnight.
However, vehicles providing essential services including ambulance, vehicles for drinking water, medical supplies, food, vegetables, fruits, milk and waste management; and vehicles of financial institutions, telecom, internet service providers can be operated by mentioning the purpose.
Vehicles carrying essential goods, ambulance (patient accompanied by a maximum of two kin), and vehicles used by medical workers and security agencies will be allowed to enter Kathmandu district, according to the decision.
Government offices and public service providers can operate their vehicles by securing passes provided by the related ministry or department.
Vehicles ferrying workers and goods for development works can operate vehicles by taking a pass issued by the chief district officer upon the recommendation of the project or office chief.
Vehicles will be arranged for those flying abroad, who have the flight ticket, passport, and visa.
All shops, except for groceries and pharmacies, have been ordered to shut down. In the case of groceries, shops can be opened until ten in the morning and from five to seven in the evening. Meanwhile, the district administration has allowed the operation of grocery sections of the department store from 10am-5pm.
According to the decision, all those entering the Kathmandu Valley must stay in quarantine centers designated by the local authorities.